Flashlights? What's up with 'em?

To get a good feel for what makes Surefires and other high end flashlights worthwhile I'd get an E2e, great lights, good size to carry and just the right amount of light. You also get the all aluminum construction missing on the G2 series. The Led modules are nice, but if it's yer first surefire I'd get an incandesent one. The one caveat to owning one is battery life, you're gonna get about 1 hour, maybe a bit less, definately not much more.
 
UnknownVT said:
For example the recent MJLED drop-in mods for the MiniMag - will give brighter, whiter and much superior smoother beam than the standard bulb - and the battery life is in the region of 30+ hours of very good brightness on 2x AA alkalines........ and it costs about $6!
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Vincent - do you know if that MJLED drop-in will also work in the 2 AAA Mini Mag?

EDITED: Ok, I found the web site and see that you can modify the 2 AAA Mag also. Unfortunately, their sold out!! Any other sites you know of where I could pick up a couple of the MJLED drop-ins?
 
It is a sickness. Nothing else compares to Surefire, I've tried others.

I currently own a Surefire E2e, L4, A2, U2, and two 6Ps with KL3s.
 
jmxcpter said:
If you want a cool drop in Mini MAg AA conversion, check out the TerraLux mini star 1 watt Luxeon conversion.
Click to expand...

Not meaning to be disparaging -
but the TerraLux MiniStar 1w Luxeon seems to be often criticized on CPF for its poor beam quality.

Also what is the projected runtime?

That's 1 watt plus losses in a step-up circuitry - on 2 AA alkalines.

The MJLED has very good beam quality and is at least in the same ballpark brightness as a good 1 watt Luxeon - with a reported 30+ hours of runtime....
and costs $10 for a kit or about $6 (with a little more modification for fitting)

Comparative beamshot with good 1 watt Luxeon (1x CR123) S1801 flashlight -
MJLED2S1801.jpg


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Vincent

http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net
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Of course, one is a drop in conversion that smokes the stock Mini Mag and one is a do it your self kit. Neither is a Surefire. You choose.

John
 
jmxcpter said:
Of course, one is a drop in conversion that smokes the stock Mini Mag and one is a do it your self kit. Neither is a Surefire. You choose.
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You're so right!
for the price of the TerraLux MiniStar drop in conversion for a MiniMag -

one could have bought a SureFire G2 ;)

(or a Streamlight Scorpion - my preference)

They are really bright - but strangely enough that's the problem -
they're much less useful than a mod'ed MiniMag - for me -
since they are often way too bright
and last less than one hour on 2x CR123
and the bulbs are also short lived
and expensive to replace.......

But they sure are IMPRESSIVE. ;)

as always YMMV

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Vincent

http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net
 
The TerraLux might not be the ultimate. I bought it because if the SHTF and I somehow run out of CR123s, I know I'll be able to get AAs and won't have to worry about bulb failure.

Another light no one has mentioned is the Streamlight Twintask TL2. Great buy for the money, but still no Surefire.

John
 
jmxcpter said:
The TerraLux might not be the ultimate. I bought it because if the SHTF and I somehow run out of CR123s, I know I'll be able to get AAs and won't have to worry about bulb failure.
Click to expand...

an excellent reason for doing a LED mod on the MiniMag - which really has a very good and proven over time body.

The TerraLux MiniStar gets just over 5 hours runtime on test - that's a huge improvement over the standard incandescent bulb - plus the 1 watt Luxeon - does give a much better and more useful beam in comparison - well worth the money and fairly minimal effort to do....


jmxcpter said:
Another light no one has mentioned is the Streamlight Twintask TL2. Great buy for the money, but still no Surefire.
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Yep, another fine light....

I think others are beginning to see why some flashaholics end up with so many lights (and some at big bucks) ....

Thinking of it - some flashaholics probably could light up the whole countryside with all their lights !! :D :D ;)

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Vincent

http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net
 
For a first Surefire, I'd get a G2 and a P61 HOLA. The G2 is inexpensive and the P61 lamp assembly lets you see what a very bright light looks like. If you don't like the P61, then you can save it as a spare. If it turns out that you don't like the G2 in general (or after awhile you discover something you like better), then you can always keep it in a car or desk drawer for an emegency.
 
cerulean said:
For a first Surefire, I'd get a G2
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While I got lots of real SureFire enthusiasts here -
who are also recommending the SureFire G2 as a first,
may I ask how you think the G2 compares with the Streamlight Scorpion I posted earlier?

Many years ago when I first heard about SureFires (6P days) I ended up buying a 9P (3x CR123) which is bright to the point of WhoA! for its size -
but I never really liked it quite as much as the cheaper and less bright Streamlight Scorpion.

I'd really value your opinions.

Thanks,
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Vincent

http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net
 
I will NOT flame the Surefire brand, however, I would be remiss if I did not encourage you to look at other brands as well. I would look at Flashlight Reviews.com and look at his reviews. Are they perfect? NO, but they are very detailed. Also, read some at candlepowerfoums.com (mentioned before.)

I have owned 2 SF lights and now own NONE. I sold both of mine (E1e and E2e) and have moved to the Nuwaii Qiii for EDC and the Streamlight Tactical TL3 (luxeon bulb) for the BOB situation. I have spent less on those two than on the SFs and will have TONS more power.

There are MANY different manufacturers that you will run into and you can spend an obscene amount of money on them. I ran into the same problem that you are seeing here - you ask for a good flashlight and someone suggests a $200 light. Might be alittle extreme to begin with.

Others have suggested the G2 (GREAT light - even a better value) take a look at it. The power of the E2, only rubber instead of metal. Look at the Nuwai line, the Streamlight line, the Inova line, the Peak line, the new Gerber line, PentagonDefense lights...the list can go on and on.

As with a knife purchase - decide your needs/use, size requirements/restrictions, budget - then go looking. Rank those needs in order of importance, because there will be options in all of them.

Good luck and I personally welcome you as the newest member of THIS 12 step program! :D :rolleyes:

David
 
I've tried Surefires but didn't really need that much light, especially with the cost of the batteries and lamp assys. For work, I went back to using my old Streamlight Stinger when I want a small light, an SL20X for a full sized light and a Lite Box for a big light. For most jobs around the house or office I just use a standard bulb Mini-Mag. In my personal truck I have a 3D Mag.
 
I bought an Electro Lumens XM-3 because of the ability to use AA batteries and the bullet proof body. Not as bright as a SureFire, but better than a AA minimag and a much smoother beam.

Lith batts give a 4+ hour runtime... :cool:
 
imho ya can do what ya want to a mini mag and its well still a mini mag (albeit a LED mini mag etc) its just not anything remotely similar to a SF other than they both produce lite. apples/oranges. if ya want the best lite around the one thats brightest/best made/most rugged/lite and small enough to carry edc get a SF nothing else compares, certainly not an LED minimag. sure they are expensive and the batts are too but if ya need a small bright lite there are no others close imho.

if ya dont need a bright small lite go to radio shack and get a $3 plastic flashlight, and ya will have a serviceable lite that wiill work fine for walking the dog/etc, and save money to boot over a minimag w/a LED/etc.

the streamlite is ok, i have a strion, but again, they are not as good as a SF E2e or E2D imho, i know i dont carry mine anywhere near as much as the SF.

and if ya need a weapons lite again no one compares at all in that regard.
 
SIFU1A said:
apples/oranges. if ya want the best lite around the one thats brightest/best made/most rugged/lite and small enough to carry edc get a SF nothing else compares, certainly not an LED minimag. sure they are expensive and the batts are too but if ya need a small bright lite there are no others close imho.
Click to expand...

You are right - apples and oranges.

Have you ever tried a practical close task (like reading) with a Xenon SureFire?

I have comfortably -
if it's over 30 feet away -
my arms aren't that long :D

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net
 
Is there any LED flashlight on the market right now that is as bright or brighter than a 2-cell SureFire light like a E2E, D2, G2, 6P etc?

Thanks
 
Theres the L4 which has a slightly higher lumen rating than the E2E but it shines a different kind of light.

E2E shines a more of a spotlight giving you more distance and throw where as the L4 is shines a floodlight (lights up a bigger area but won't shine as far).
 
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